February 11, 2026, could have been a date that marked a glimpse of the present going head-to-head against the future, or in simpler words, a veteran going against a prodigy. Yes, it was the date when we expected to see Alyssa Thomas and Aliyah Boston’s hardened 1v1 battle in Miami. But as fate would have it, a reported injury to Thomas has deprived the fans of this contest.

According to reports, the Laces BC player has sustained a knee injury in her last Unrivaled game against Lunar Owls, sidelining her from the 1vs1 contest. The 1vs1 contest will now feature 8 matchups, down from the original 14, following the numerous injuries Unrivaled players have faced of late. Reserve pool player Laeticia Amihere will take Thomas’ spot in the contest against Boston on Wednesday, as per the latest matchups shared by Unrivaled Basketball.

Thomas has had a long history of knee injuries in her career. The Phoenix Mercury faced a similar situation last season at the Unrivaled, when she injured her right knee during a game against the Phantom BC and during a 2024 WNBA game for the Connecticut Sun. On a broader scale, it quietly conveys that, with the enhanced physicality of the 3-on-3 league, injuries are now part and parcel of it.

However, her untimely injury ahead of a supposed star-studded matchup isn’t well-received by fans. And they did’ hesitate to showcase their unfiltered thoughts ahead of the kickoff of the 1vs1 tournament.

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Alyssa Thomas’ Exit Leaves Fans Wondering What Could Have Been Against Aliyah Boston

“AT chickened out 😭😭😂😂😂,” joked a fan. “rip cinema that would have been the AB-AT matchup,” commented another while expressing her disappointment.

The Aliyah Boston-Alyssa Thomas battle was supposed to be the marquee star-studded matchup in the opening round of the 1vs1 tournament. It was poised to be a trial by fire for both players, with neither of them having any experience in this format. Additionally, the skill set of both players is contrasting too. While Thomas emphasizes physicality, Boston focuses on her skill set in the paint, making it a back-and-forth contest.

However, with Thomas pulling out, the ceiling for the opening round of the 1vs1 tournament has come down a bit, leaving fans immensely disappointed, and this comment captures the sentiment perfectly.

“What happened to AT? 😏 “What happened to AT? Was she too worried about AB beating her? Disappointing, ngl.”

It’s true that Boston is having an Unrivaled season far better than Thomas’ in 2025-26. The Indiana Fever player has played more minutes, scored more, assisted more, and rebounded more. And quite naturally, Boston was the favorite going into the 1vs1 contest, more so with her agility and speed. Thus, many reactions, including these two, have backed Boston’s momentum as the reason for Thomas’s withdrawal from the 1vs1 tournament.

“not AT saying adiós to the 1v1 and the aliyah match up 😭😭😭,” remarked another. “Breaking news it seems that Alyssa Thomas has dropped out and is no longer playing Aliyah Boston in the first round. Imo she watched what Aliyah did in the game last night and decided not worth it 😂😂😂😂😂😂,” joked another.

Boston’s performance in Phantom BC’s game against Vinyl BC was a treat to watch, indeed. The Fever guard logged 20.8 minutes, scoring 33 points with 16 boards and 13 defensive rebounds, leading her side to a 76-73 win. She went 14-of-22 from open play and 3-of-8 from the perimeter in a physicality-driven league like Unrivaled, suggesting the level of damage she can inflict in a 1v1 situation.

All in all, Aliyah Boston’s debut Unrivaled stats are quite scary. But connecting it to Thomas’ absence from the 1vs1 tournament doesn’t make much sense for now. For Boston, the Laces BC player’s absence has made its path seem easier, at least for the first round. With due respect, Laeticia Amihere is a top young prospect for the Golden State Valkyries, but lacks the firm experience and skill set that Thomas brings to the table.

The 15-minute 1vs1 contest is just a few hours away. Who do you think will stand tall in this contest in Miami? Can Amihere stage an upset? Or will Boston’s dominance prevail in her debut 1vs1 tournament? Do let us know in the comments.